NDP leader Jack Layton's letter to PM Harper "regarding the urgent matter of the on-going strike by United Steelworkers Local 6500 at Vale-Inco

The Rt. Hon. Stephen HarperPrime Minister of CanadaHouse of CommonsOttawa, ON K1A 0A6

Dear Prime Minister Harper,

We write regarding the urgent matter of the on‐going strike by members of UnitedSteelworkers Local 6500 (USW 6500) at Vale Inco in Sudbury, a strike which is quicklyapproaching the seven‐month mark, with no end in sight.We believe that a strong case can be made for proactive involvement by the Minister of Labour for the following reasons:1) The detrimental impact the strike is having on not just the Sudbury economy, butthose of other cities in Canada.Vale Inco, a wholly‐owned subsidiary of Vale (Vale S.A.) of Brazil, has more than onelocation in Canada. The workers at Vale Inco’s other Canadian locations; PortColbourne, Ontario, and Voisey’s Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, are also involved ina strike. These strikes, involving the same multi‐national mining company, are having a hugely detrimental impact on the local economies and businesses and the surrounding areas.22) The current strikes taking place in Canada are affecting the global price of nickel.As the second largest mining company in the world, the strikes at Vale Inco are nowaffecting the global price of nickel. The strike can no longer be considered a privatematter between a local company and its employees.3) Vale Inco has refused to return to the negotiating table without pre‐conditions.The recent successful negotiations between the Xstrata mining company and theCanadian Auto Workers (CAW) Local 598 show that a resolution can be found whentwo sides come together with no pre‐conditions, and bargain in good faith. The USW6500 has noted that the issues resolved during bargaining at Xstrata are similar tothose USW 6500 has with Vale Inco.4) Vale Inco has taken the unprecedented step of resuming production at its mines inSudbury with replacement workers.Such actions on the part of Vale Inco management have inflamed tensions in theseNorthern Ontario communities―communities that have already suffered enough fromthe impact of the strike and the economic downturn.We urge you to instruct Minister of Labour Lisa Raitt to immediately engage in dialogue with Vale Inco and USW, with the aim of bringing both sides back to the negotiating table at the earliest opportunity.Canadian communities are struggling in the face of these ongoing strikes. With workers no longer collecting a paycheque, they are no longer pumping money into the local economy.As such, while many workers are at risk of losing their home, countless others in these communities are at risk of losing their businesses.Vale Inco has set a negative precedent by bringing in replacement workers and resuming production during the strike. The Minister of Labour has an opportunity to set a positive precedent by proactively engaging both sides in this strike.3Please don’t waste this valuable opportunity. We look forward to your positive response.